In the season preview of the Coyotes we asked whether this team was trending up or down, after missing the playoffs by just two points last year? While it was obvious for much of the year that the answer was that the team was just not talented enough to compete in the tough Western Conference, it was less clear what they would do about it. With new ownership and a shaky market, would the Coyotes dismantle the current roster in order to set up the future? GM Don Maloney showed that he and ownership were committed to a long-term plan to build a better team.